Naturopathic Physician

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Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems, covering all aspects of health care. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness; the medicine is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

Naturopathic Education

A Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. while also studying holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, Naturopathic Doctors are required to complete at least a year of training in each of the following: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine and counseling.

A naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician

Look under ‘Resources’ for links to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (for more information on NDs and their training) and Bastyr University, where Dr. Egginton attended medical school.

What is Preventative Medicine?

Preventative medicine takes into account a person’s family medical history and their environment to consider what diseases they are at risk for. By establishing a strong foundation to health through improved diet and lifestyle habits and optimal functioning, disease risks can be lessened and optimal health can be achieved.

While some health practitioners only offer routine immunizations and drugs as a way of decreasing your chance of future disease, true preventative medicine involves optimizing the body’s function so that innate healing addresses disease processes before the point of diagnosis or symptoms. Dr. Egginton will help to teach you what improvements will help you to avoid the unnecessary burden of chronic disease.

For patients dealing with a disease diagnosis, preventative strategies can help avoid sequelae that may result from living with chronic disease.